Viking World — Attraction in Reykjanesbær

I had some time to kill before catching a flight, so I figured I would visit Viking World as I have a fondness for Vikings and history in general.

The first thing to catch our attention was the price, but figured if there was enough to see - it would be worth it. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Although Viking World has the aesthetics of a museum, most of the information is quite generalized, surface-level, and seemingly outdated. There are a few things to do (pose for a photo with some battered chainmail armor, etc.) but not a whole lot to see or otherwise experience. Aside from information boards and a few recreations, there isn't much to see. Many of the lights in one of the exhibit weren't turned on, making reading the many information boards difficult, and much of the audio/visual material looked like it was taken, copyright-free materials from the 1990s. The boat housed at its center is a good show-piece, but again, Viking World doesn't provide much valuable information (how was a ship like this built, materials/techniques used, life aboard the boat, etc.) or anything to really gain from it.

The settlement of North America section was an interesting addition, though some of the information regarding Canadian First Nations peoples was quite dated/inaccurate. Despite the glut of information on the topic, the museum barely scratches the surface of the Vinland/Greenlander Sagas and again, does not provide any new insights on the topic to anyone with even a basic understanding of the subject material.

My final review: Having read some reviews, I get that some folks have walked away satisfied with their experience, but I wish Viking World could have made a little extra effort to make the surprisingly high price worth it. I think fleshing out some exhibits would go a long way, but with everything as is, you can probably get through it in well under an hour. For anyone thinking this will be a great place to learn and see something new about Vikings, I would skip this one and save some of that hard-earned gold and loot for a...

Viking World is a museum in Njarðvík, Reykjanesbær, Iceland, dedicated to the history of the Vikings in Iceland. It is located about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Keflavík International Airport and about 28 miles (45 kilometers) from Reykjavík.

Viking World museum, Iceland

The museum's main attraction is the Íslendingur (Icelander), a full-scale replica of the Gokstad ship, a famous Viking ship that was built in Norway in the 9th century. The Íslendingur was sailed to New York in 2000 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of Leif Erikson in North America.

In addition to the Íslendingur, the museum also has exhibits on the Viking way of life, including their ships, weapons, tools, and clothing. There is also a replica of a Viking longhouse, a traditional Viking dwelling.

The museum is open year-round and admission is 1500 Icelandic krona (about $15 USD). It is a popular tourist destination, especially for those who are interested in learning more about the Vikings.

Here are some of the things you can do at the Viking World museum:

Explore the Íslendingur ship: This is the main attraction of the museum and you can climb aboard and learn about its construction and history.

Visit the replica of a Viking longhouse: This gives you a glimpse of how the Vikings lived. See the exhibits on Viking life: These exhibits cover a variety of topics, such as their ships, weapons, tools, and clothing.

Watch the audiovisual presentation: This presentation tells the story of the Vikings in Iceland. Take a guided tour: There are guided tours available in English, Icelandic, and...

TL;DR: Viking World is a fascinating museum between Keflavík and Reykjavík, featuring a full-scale Viking ship, historical exhibits, and interactive experiences. Worth a stop!

Viking World is a fantastic stop if you’re traveling between Keflavík and Reykjavík. The museum offers a deep dive into Icelandic Viking history, including the stunning Íslendingur, a full-scale replica of a Viking longship that you can actually walk aboard. Putting on period costumes and stepping onto the ship made for a fun and immersive experience.

The museum is well laid out, with informative exhibits about Norse culture, settlement history, and the voyages of early explorers. Unfortunately, the VR game wasn’t available during our visit, but there was still plenty to see and do. There’s also a large outdoor display, though we didn’t explore it due to the intense high winds that day.

Overall, Viking World is a great stop for history lovers and anyone wanting to experience Iceland’s Viking...